[Congressional Bills 111th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 483 Engrossed in House (EH)]

H. Res. 483

                In the House of Representatives, U. S.,

                                                         July 29, 2009.
Whereas veterans of the Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection, the 
        Nation's first major foreign conflicts, faced hardships to include a 
        complete lack of medical care and pensions upon discharge from the 
        service;
Whereas, on September 29, 1899, the American Veterans of Foreign Service and in 
        December 1899, the National Society of the Army of the Philippines, were 
        established to advocate for the rights and benefits then denied to 
        veterans of the Spanish-American War and Philippine Insurrection;
Whereas, in subsequent years, membership in these and other veterans 
        organizations continued to grow;
Whereas these veterans organizations, recognizing their common goals and the 
        importance of unity, merged to form the present-day Veterans of Foreign 
        Wars of the United States in 1914;
Whereas membership in the Veterans of Foreign Wars continued to grow and reached 
        nearly 200,000 in 1936 when the organization received its Congressional 
        Charter;
Whereas the 2.3 million members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and Ladies 
        Auxiliary remain committed to the organization's mission of ``ensuring 
        rights, remembering sacrifices, promoting patriotism, performing 
        community services, and advocating for a strong national defense'';
Whereas the organization continues this honorable mission by effectively 
        advocating for our Nation's veterans, to include helping establish the 
        present-day Department of Veterans Affairs, creating the Montgomery G.I. 
        Bill, developing the national cemetery system, and assisting combat 
        wounded veterans receive compensation for their injuries; and
Whereas the members of the Veterans of Foreign Wars celebrate the organization's 
        establishment and achievements on September 29th while carrying on the 
        vital mission of their predecessors: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That the House of Representatives supports the goals and ideals of 
Veterans of Foreign Wars Day.
            Attest:

                                                                          Clerk.